USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Cheshire > Records of the First Baptist Church in Cheshire (formerly New Providence) > Part 3
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Jon'n Richardson
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47 At a Chh Meeting July 29, 1790 Voted to Admonish Zaduck Parker The Chh of Christ In Adams Under the Care of Peter Werden Eld'r To Zaduck Parker Sendeth Wishing you to Consider what greate things the greate god has Done in and thrugh the Medeator In Saveing Poor Sinfull man from Total ruin. And makeing them happy In the Injoyement of himself. And the Obbligations we are under to him to Serve and and gloriefie him in this world with our bodies and Spirits which are his. And we that have Pertaken of his Mercy in his Son, And have Covented to walk in the Laws of Christs house are under Obligations to Oneanother to wach over Oneother. And so fulfil the Law of Christ. you have Sum time Stoped your walk with the Chh. you have Fallen into the greate sin off Fornication against god and his Law, against Comunety at Large
P 48 In the name of Christ we Doe Admonish you to Repent of this your Sin, and Denie Felowship with you until the fruit of your Repentance Comes to light
Jonathan Richardson Clark In the name and behalf of the Chh.
At a Chh Meeting Dec 30, 1790 Apointed To Ordain Brother John Hamond Jan 16, 1791 On Account of a meeting being Apointed by Eld'r Drake and Conecttion that Consernd this Chh the Ordernation was Agurned to the 23 of Jany which took Place. Eld'r Nichols Prch't the Sermon From 2 Timothy 4-2 Preach the Word. Eld'r Werden gave the Charge.
Jon'n Richardson Clark
At a Chh Meeting Feb 3, 1791 Voted to Dismis James James and wife Aberner Rasen and Wife Stephen Taler
Jon'n Richardson Clark In behalf of Chh.
. P 49 The Chh of Christ in Adams under the pastoral Care of Peter Werden Eld'r Sendeth greeting to Brother Caleb Brown wishing you to lovetthe truth and peace. These inform that in our Labour with you it appears Evidently to us that you gave a Very partial Representation to the publick of your motives that induced you to join with us when you appeared to Solemnly profess Religion and join with
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us we in Charrity believed that your eye was Single to Gods Glory, and the publick testimony you gave of the Conduct of the Council when Eld'r Irish was ordained was Evidently wrong upon these Representations made to the publick you declared Non felowship with such Conduct and that you had found a little dispised -- number in the order of the Gospel with whom you had or Could Join we are truly and greviously Satisfied that you are worthy of blame in these things both as it Respects your testimonys to the publick and your own Conduct in Seperating more on Immaginary than real facts. These are therefore to Call you to Repentance and amendment, and to inform you that we shall deny fellowship with you untill your amendment and Repentance becomes evident to us
Signed in behalf of the Chh. Peter Werden Eld'r March 3, 1791
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The Chh of Christ Under the Care of Peter Werden 3ld'r Sendeth to Joseph Galop Sendeth wishing you to Consider what greate things god has Done for Poor Sinners In Sending his Son Into the world to Seeke and Save that was Lost you gave us to Rejoyce in the goodness of god in his marcy Shone to you which moved you to Profes Religon and Folow Christ you told us that it was good to Serve the Lord, that he was a good god had Done greate things for you for which you was glad. but we have to morn and Lement that Joseph is turned again to Folley and Persueing your Ruin and Overthro when will he turn from sin to god. In the Name of Christ we Doe Admonish you to Repent of your so greate wickedness and sin against A holy god and Christ and your Breatheren. And we Doe Denie Felowship with you until the Fruit of your Repentance is made Manefest to us
Adams, March 3 1791
Jon'n Richardson Clark in behalf of the Chh.
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51 The Chh of Christ in Adams under the Care of Peter Werden Eld'r To Thomas Busse of Windsor A member of this Chh. Sendeth, wishing you to Consider the Rightteousness of the greate god, In Vindicating the honers of his holy Law, In Exequeting the Penalty thereof upon the brakers. For Professors off Religon to take the Sinfull Liberty of Violateing the holy Law of god. And Trampling underfoot the Blood of the Covenant must be Dredfull Agravateing. For aney Person to be Inlightend and Pertake of the Powers of the world to Come, and Fall away, how Inconcevable must there Case be. We have bin Frequently Informed that you Do go into Sinfull Meriments and Drink to Excess. behave out of Caracter bring a Reproach upon your Profession and the Cause of truth, and make light of it. For these things our harts morn and Lement. 0 Thomas when will you Return and give us to Rejoyce. Dear Brother we are under Divine Obbligations, In the name of Christ to Admonish you to Repent of your greate wickedness and Sin against god and your brea thern. And Denie Felowship with you until the Fruit of your Repentance Becomes Evident.
Adams March 3, 1791 Jon'n Richardson Clark In behalf of the Chh.
At a Chh meeting upon Testimoney ( by the breathern at zoar) Against Nathan Green's Vane talk and Profane Swareing and Refuseing being Reclamed, laid under Admonishon
April 28, 1791 Jon'n Richardson Clark
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52 At a Chh meeting Voated to Dismis brother William Brown to Pownal Chh under the Care of Eld'r Nichols May 26, 1791
Jon'n Richardson Clark
Same day Admonished Amy Blis
Adams Aug 17, 1791 gave Dainel Comer and wife a Dismison to Eld'r Masons Chh
The Chh of Christ in Adams Under the Care of Peter Werden Eld'r To Amy Bliss. Dear Sister you once gave us occasion to Rejoyce in the Solem appearence you have made in Renouncing the World and the Vaneties thereof and Profesing
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to Love Christ and keep his Commands, But alas how quick your theme Semed to be Changed, how is the gold become dim and the fine gold Changed, these things lay us under the Sorowful Necessety of Bareing our United Testimoney against your Conduct. For giting into the Vanities of the World and giving way to unlawful Desires in unmaried State. And Refuseing to be Reclaimed by us. Therefore we in the name of Christ, and a Solum sence of our Duty, Do Admonish you to forsake your Sins and turn to god and your Breathern with unfained Repentance and we Denie felloship with you till the Fruit of your repentance becomes evident to us.
Adams Aug 25, 1791 Jon'n Richardson Clark In behalf of the Chh.
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53 Sep 29, 1791 Chh Voted to Admonish Moley Hall. Oct 2, Voted to Dissmis on Recomend Elezer Rodes by a Leter to Medelfield Chh.
The Chh of Christ in Adams under the Care of Peter Werden Eld'r To Moley Hall once a Profesed member of saide Chh. Dear Sister you once gave us a Comfortable Satisfaction that the Lord had bin gratieous to you in granting you the free Perdon of your sins, and we Recived you as one that had Renounced the Sins and Vanitys of this world and the Wicked Works of Darkness. But alas how soon Did you turn your Back upon theBleading Cause of Christ and awfully Run into Sin and Trancegression, the grate Sin of Fornication, the works of Darkness and Uncleanness and to add to this when our Breathern Came in Love to see you and Labour with you, you flaterd them that you had a Disposition to Come and Clear up your caricter when it Evidently apears you Could not for you was Really gilty and your Pretetions was Noting but Decet and hipocricy. In the Name of Christ we must admonish you to forsake your Sins and turn to god and your breathern with unfained Repentance, and Denie our Feloship with you
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till the fruit of your Repentance becomes evident to us Adams, Oct 2, 1791 Jon'n Richardson Clark . In behalf of the Chh.
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54 We do hereby Recommend Brother Nathaniel Bliss as one that keeps up a regular travil in the Chh of Christ, and can Recommend him to the Baptist Chh in Lanesborough under the care of Nathan Mason Eld'r and dismis him to your watch and care, wishing the benifit of Brotherly unity might attend you.
November 3rd 1791
Upon Jacob Parin Request the Chh Dismist him to Chesterfield Chh Adams, Novr 20, 1791
At a Chh Meeting 30 June 1791 1791 Admonisht Silas Patrig & Abner Patrig, for their turning of from their Profestion into Sin and Vanity.
Jon'n Richardson Clark
At a Chh meeting Sum time in Octr 1791 Admonist Seth Blancher for his turning of from his Professtion into Sin and Vanity
Jon'n Richardson Clark
At a Chh Meeting Feb 15, 1792, gave Joseph Haserd a Recomend and Dismison to Powlit Church
Jon'n Richardson Clark
At Chh Meeting 30th June 1791 Admonished Brother Enos Jones for his misconduct towards Brother Wardwill Greene Ist what he said Conferning a promis he gave Greene if he had such a one he could not tell how he came by it without he forged it. 2ly in regard to two bushels Corn he Borrowed of Greene 3ly in regard to a cow Whitaker Receeighted.
Jon'n Richardson Clark
P 55 The Chh of Christ at Adams under the Care of Peter Werden Eld'r to Sister Lois Kent Wishing you to remember the solemn Profession you made a number of years ago of loving the Name of our Blessed Jesus But O where is our Sister Now hath she not got other lovers. We would inform you that we are Dissatisfied with your conduct: first your non attention to your duty acording to your
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profession, secondly your unseemly conduct and behaviour with Ichabod Wade, we look upon it to be Emodest and out of the Christian Carecter, Diffirent from the rule laid down in the word of God, we find in the word of God that women professing Godliness was adorned with shamefacedness and soberriety therefore we admonish you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to a Spedy Repentance and Deny our Felloship with you untill the fruit thereof is made manifest to us.
Adams, March 29, 1792 Jon'n Richardson Chh Clark
At a Chh Meeting May 3 Ad 1792 upon theRequest of Deacon Jonathan Richardson to be Dismissed from his office as Clark & Tresurer the Chh answered his Request: and appointed Brother Jonathan Richardson Juner in his Stead
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From the Chh of Christ in Adams under the Care of Peter Werden Eld'r to Jesse Bussey in Windsor, Dear freind once we could own you as a brother and as one that had found mercey in the Redeamer appeared to be determined to take up your dayly Cross and be a follower of the Lamb but like a dog to his vomit, and a sow from hir washing to the wallowing in the mire, it appears you have involved your self in sin and transgression in open violation against the holy Laws of God. By dealling unjustly with your Neighbour, equivocating and Cawling about bargins and not being punctual to your promis the sin of gratifying unlawful lusts in an unmaried state giving way to passion and quarriling with your fellow Creators allowing your self to youse profane Language, and take Gods Name in vain, and to add to all this when our Brethren came to visit you they ware flattered that you was disposed to ment your wrongs, and take your place in the Chh, but Never made your appearence in that way, for all these things, In the Name of Christ we do admonish you to forsake your sins and turn to God and your Brethren with unfeigned
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repentance and we deny our fellowship with you till the fruit . of your Repentance becomes evident to us.
Adams, May, 1792 Jon'n Richardson Jr. Clark
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57 At Chh Meeting 17th October 1790. Ist Question What is the Chh duty in Regard to Brethern that think it their duty to Improve publickly in the way of Preaching
Answer when any Brother is imprest of its being his duty to improve from the scripter, he shall give the Chh an Oppertunity to hear him.
At a Chh Meeting Dec 31st 1789 Agreed that we will Raise a stock for the support of the poor in the Brotherhood which Sum is agreed shall amount to pounds to be raised thus Such of the Brethren who are free to have an Estimation according to their property as may appear by the Estimation of the following Brethren
Brother John Warren Nathaniel Bliss Assessors
Jon'n Richardson Jr
The Chh agread that those who could not feal free to have their Estates Everaged with the Brethren that they should answer their own minds by subscription. it is agreed that a Certain Moiety of the above. Sum shall be appropriated to the Use of Providing a Stove for the use of the Meeting House as soon as maybee.
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P February 12th 1792. The Chh Agread to Recommend Brother John Warren Sister Mary Warren Zadock Warren Huldy Warren Rachel Warren Lucy Short Nathan Bennet Sarah Biddlecome as Members of good Standing with us to any Chh in our order
Feby 15 Dismised Brothe Joseph Haskel to Powlet Church
Feb 22 Withdrew our fellowship from Brother William Hanks for his Neglecting the Publick worship of God with the Brethren at Powlet and eleging a difficulty with one of them and refuseing to take Gospel steps for settlement.
Jonathan Richardson Clark
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CHESHIRE, MASS.
At a Chh Meeting 29th March 1792 Admonished Brother Potter White for not attending to matters of aorriment where he has given occation Viz: in promising and not performing to the following persons Brothers Theophilos Luther Wardwell Greene Allen Briggs & Matthew Cushen
Jonathan Richardson Clark
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59 At a Chh Meeting the 29th of March 1792 Withdrew our fellowship from Brother Rufus Wescoat for neglecting giving sattisfaction to his Brethren and freinds that are greaved with him for his immoral Conduct, when visited by his Brethren on acount of their dissattisfac- tion with him he gave them fair promises for amendment, but whoolly neglected his promises, for these things we deny our fellowship with him till the fruit of his repentance becomes evident to us
Jon'n Richardson Clark
At a Chh Meeting June 30th 1792 Agread not to venter our fellowship with Sarah Shelden any longer on the present apearence of thing as she left hir visible travel with the Church some time before she moved away
Jon'n Richardson Jr Clark
Delt with Brother Jonathan Remington for his withdrawing him self from our Communion and Testifying by a letter that we nead not make any fruther inquirry after him, for he Could not Travil any further with us.
Jon'n Richardson Jr Clark
P. 60 At a Chh Meeting the 3d of August 1792 Admonished Simeon Potter for his Neglecting his Travil with the Chh, and menifesting Dificulties in the Brotherhood and refusing to take gospel stens for settlement. 2'y Denied fellowship with Samuel Cole for his nunatendance with his Brethren and alowing him self in profain talking --
Novr 4, 1792 Agreable to Brother Ezra Willmarth request dismist him to Southwest Baptist Chh in Shaftsbury.
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At a Chh Meeting 29th of November, 1792 Letter to Brother Simeon Sweet The Chh having Received Information that you have too frequently indulged your self in drinking Spirituous Liquer untill you appeared to be disguised therewith to the wounding of some of your Brethren and upon their labouring with you, you Refused or Neglected to make any satisfaction, and your Refusing to Attend to the Labour of a number of the Brethren and Manifesting a deter- mination not to Travil with the Chh and your Requesting to be Cut of from their Fellowship all which is unbecoming
61 to the followers of the Meek and Lowly Jesus. The Chh do therefore in the Name of Christ Solemnly Admonish you to turn from your wickedness and deny you their fellowship untill the fruit of your Repentance cometh to light.
Signed by Benajah Tubbs in behalf of the Chh.
Jan 3, 1793 At Chh Meeting Voted that when any member is about to move away from the Brotherhood, that the Clark give a recommend to them that are in good standing, and when Received by any other Chh in the same order, to give us notice, and then we shall consider them dismissed from us
2ly Brother Enos Jones made Retraction to the satisfaction of the Chh.
Jany 9 Chh Meet acording to apointment
Ist Took into consideration the sircumstance of Brother John Mills in regard to his being in Debt to Howland, and Doct Jencks.
2ly Agread to pay Howland 40/ and discharge the whool of Docr Jencks account
Jan 18 gave Brother Isaac Town Letter of Recommend
P 62 March 7th 1793 Brethren met according to appointment Ist Took into Consideration the case of Sister Rhoda Parker, Admonished hir for hir unbecoming conduct in an unmaried state and keeping hir distance from the Chh, and intirely neglecting making satisfaction to the Brotherhood. 2dly Withdrew our fellowshin from Brother Stephen Dexter for his Joining
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Rude Company in frollicing dausing and Intirely neglecting his duty with his Brethren.
May 2, 1793. Brethren meet acording to appointment. Ist Took into Consideration the Case of Brother Lazrus Ball Conserning his unbecoming conduct the 4th of July, 1792 at Col'o Remington's In making yous of Sperituous liquer to the disguising himself and bringing a Reproach upon the Innosent cause of Christ, and to ad to our Sorrough, he profeses to be totally ignorent of his misconduct as to his own knolage, but on the testymoney of a large number of evidences he attempted to make satisfaction to the Brother hood, there appeared to be so many inconsistencies attend his confession the Brethren could not be satisfied
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P Therewith, we therefore discontinue our fellowship with him untill we are further satisfied- 2ly Took into consideration the disagreable Conduct of Brother Semion Andress the first day of April at Moses Woolcoats, in his disguising him self with sperituous llquer quarreling and alowing himself in profane and wicked conversation, for these things we denye our fellowship with him till the fruit of his Repentance becomes evident to us.
3dly The Chh agreed to give Doc'r Ball y 1 that he owed Eld'r Haskins and upwards of three pounds that Brother Mason & Richardson paid for the Doc'r where he was involved.
May 30th, 1793 Chh Meet acording to yousal apointment. The Brethren and sisters oppened their minds to each other with a good degree of fredom.
The Brethren thought fill to make a Record of the sircumstance of the Brethren at the Northwest Whereas there is a number of the members of this Church that live in the North part of Adams and in the Gore two Remote to Meet with us in a constant way, and as they for some years past have Meet to gether by our aprobation as a Religious Society to worship God --- these
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P 64 certify that we Chearfully Continue our approbation to them in that Capasity
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Jon'n Richardson Jr Chh Clark
July 4, 1793 Brethren Mett acording to appointment
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Ist Took into Consideration the Letter from some Brethren at Layden. Concluded to answer their Request In appointing Dec'n Richardson Dec'n Carpenter and Jon'n Richardson Jr to attend with Eld'r Verden
2ly Appointed Brethren Ahizer Phillips Caleb Tippits to attend with Eld'r Werden as a Committee to attend at the Gore on fryday before the third Lords day in Instant July, to attend to matters of difficulty among them.
3ly Eld'r Werden informed the Chh he had Rec'd a letter from Eld'r Hammond in answer to the Letter we Wrote to him, Concluded not to have the letter read in Church Meeting But thought fit to Chuse a Committee to attend to the letter, Made Choice of Eld'r Werden, Brother Timothy Mason, Jon'n Richardson Jr to attend at Eld'r Leland Meeting House on thursday the 11th day of Instant July.
4ly Proceaded to express our minds to each other with some sence of divine things
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P 5ly The two decons Requested to be libireted from some incumbrences they laboured under, Or dismissed from their Office as Decons.
Cheshire August 14th 1793 A few of the Chh and society Meet acording to appointment in order to attend to matters Conserning the Clearing the Publick Lot
Ist Consulted whether we shall prosead to settle the Clearing of the Publick lot so as it may be free to the People or Conclude to drop what hath ben attended to ---
2ly Concluded to Wholly drop what has ben attended to here tofore
3ly Agreaed to dissolve the Meeting
Wendesday August 14th 1793 Brethren Opened Chh Meeting acording to appointment Ist Took into Consideration the Request of the two Decons that they made to the Chh the 4th of July last. 2ly Their difficulty consisted in their not being Chh fellowship in the Support of the Gospel.
3ly Those Brethren present Consulted the above difficulty in a free open manner and Concluded that they could act in futer in a free open fellowship way in Regard to Supporting
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the Gospel and the poor as well as other Chh exegences. Upon this The two Decons had their request answered with the Chh's puting their profession into practice.
66 4ly Dec'n Richardson and Wife Requested a dismission and Recommend to any Chh in our order and faith where their lot may be cast. their Request was granted.
5ly Concluded to write a letter to Brother John Warren to Request him to attend at Jeremiah Greene's the first thursday in February.
6ly Appointed Brethren Timothy Mason and Allen Briggs to settle with Dec'n Richardson in Regard to the bills that was put in his hands to cellect for the benifit of the Chh, and take the Bills into their hands -- -
7ly Chose Brother Timothy Mason to finish the collection of the above mentioned Bills and dispose of the affects
according to the Ingagements of the Chh acording to his best judgment and make return of his doings to the afore said Chh
October 5, 1793, Brethren Meet acording to appointment Ist Took into Consideration the Case of sister Dodge, Withdrew our fellowship from hir on acount of hir Spreading Scandallous Reports about hir Husband.
2ly proposed to write to sister Low
3ly Appointed Dec'n Carpenter, Brother Allen Briggs, and Jon'n Richardson to attend at Newcanion with Eld'r Werden the second fryday in Nov'r and Wednesday preceeding to attend A Chh Meeting by Request of Brother Aaron Drake.
P 67 At a Chh Meeting Saterday Nov'r 2, 1793.
- Ist After some conversation finding that there was a difficulty in the minds of some of the Brethren, Concerning the Publick Lott.
2ly Chose a Committee Consisting of four Brethren Viz: Stephen Carpenter, Timothy Mason, Allen Briggs and Jon'n Richardson Jr To draw up in writing conserning the Publick Lott and lay it before the next Chh. Meeting for to have the Judgment of Judishal men betwict the Chh and our Eld'r
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November 30, 1793, Brethren Meet acording to Yousal Custom Ist Eld'r Werden gave some Information in Regard to his and Dec'n Carpenter Visit to Newcanion be Expressed a good degree of satisfaction in Regard to the freedom they found in the minds of those was appointed to Visit --
2ly The Committee appointed last Chh Meeting in order to state the difficulties that some of the Brethren had in Regard to the Clearing the Publick Lott did not put it in writing but made their Return Verbelly that they did not understand the Nature of the appointment sufficient to Committ it to Writing
3ly Conversed largly on the difficulties that Brother Allen Briggs and several other Brothren had in their minds conserning the Improvment of the Publick lott, with Eld'r Werden 4ly Anna Bowen gave a Relation of hir experience and was Received with a good degree of satisfaction By the Ch
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December let 1793 After Publick Worship Mrs. .. .. Harwood gave a Relation of hir experience to the Chh and was Recived. After Sacriment the Chh appointed Dec'n Carpenter and Brother Allen Briggs to attend the Council with Eld'r Werden the first day of January at Fittstown ---
December 20th 1793. Brethren Meet acording to appointment Ist Took in to Consideration the difficulty Conserning the Publick Lott. After some Conversation on the affair the Brethren freely Relinquished all Claim that Ever they had held of Eld'r Werden's Labour on said Lott ---
2ly Voted to Dismiss the apointment of a Committe, Viz: Eld'r Aaron Leland Dec'n Daniel Coomer Capt Daniel Brown, That was agreaed upon the last Chh Meeting between Eld'r Werden and Brother Allen Briggs in behalf of the Chh.
Church Meet the 4th of January 1794.
Ist Voted to give Brother Thomas Terrey and Wife a Letter of Recommendation to any other Chh in our order and fellowship. 2ly Appointed Brethren Timothy Mason Allen Briggs William Jenkins Abiezer Phillips & Jon'n Richardson as a Committee to Consult what is the Churches Duty to Eld'r Werden for his past Services in the Ministry
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69 January 21, 1794. Chh Met acording to appointment to attend to Matters that Conserned Brother Hohn Hammond Ist Largly conversed upon his affairs that Conserned the Chh which had been flung in against him.
Concluded to Drop them upon his attending to Clear up his Charecter and make Restitution as far as Justice Requires -- 2ly Took into Consideration the difficulty between Brother Jesse Mason and Brother John Hammond. Brother Hammond acknowleged his fault to the satisfaction of all that was present.
3ly Red a letter of Complaint from Sister Susannah Mason to this Chh against Brother Hammond.
The Chh Concluded to send the Complaint back to the Chh up there in order to have the matter setled where the supposed offence was given, when the matter is brought to a Close to have Report made to us of their proceadings --- Furthermore we Injoin Earnestly on Brother Hammond to attend to the settlement of the above without loss of time when he Returns home.
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